Fluids dispensing valve with flexible diaphragm for nozzle



United States Patent [21 App]. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73]Assignee [54] FLUIDS DISPENSING VALVE Wl' lll FLEXIBLE 3,454,198 7/1969Flynn ZZZ/ 402.23

ABSTRACT: A fluids dispensing valve disposed to dispense fluids from anaerosol container and having a housing supported in a conventionalcontainer cap and a relatively movable fluids dispensing nozzleextending from the housing and outwardly through the cap; said fluiddispensing nozzle having an integral flexible diaphragm sealingly fixedrelative to the DIAPHRAGM FOR NOZZLE 5 Chin, B Dnwing F|gs cap and thevalve hous ng and adapted to provide a seal while i 1 also maintaining aflexible connection of the fluid dispensing 1 122/401 nozzle and thecontainer cap and valve housing. 365'! 83/00 This invention relates to afluids dispensing valve, and more [50] Field of Search 222/4021,pamwhfly, to a fl id dispensing valve f use with aerosol 402-13 402-2,4022] containers, wherein a fluids dispensing nozzle is provided with394 an integral diaphragm serving as a flexible support for the noz- R fCi ed zle to allow movement thereof for actuating an aerosol valve, [56] g t and at the same time, to provide a seal around the perimeter ofUNITED STATES PATENTS the nozzle to prevent leakage of fluid therearoundwhen the 3,434,633 3/1969 Green 222/402] 3 nozzle is used to actuatesaid fluids dispensing valve.

l4 l2 l I 62 6 56 42 v so 44" 4o i I I 46-- i i 33 I A Y 32 2a a H 24Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Sheet w O ill I I. l ,1|\. w MUM aw wmw mmm m 5 62 H 6 I F BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In various aerosol fluidsdispensing valves nozzles, projecting from aerosol containers, aregenerally movable by the operator in order to actuate a fluidsdispensing valves internally of the container in order to dispensefluids through the valve and through the respective nozzles.

In prior art structures, a hollow tubular nozzle has been movablymounted through a seal washer which is compressively engaged with theperimeter of the hollow tubular nozzle in order to prevent leakage offluids outwardly therearound while the fluids are being dispensedthrough the nozzle to a location externally of the respective container.Many of the prior art nozzles are tiltable to an axially angulardisposition relative to the normal axis thereof and some of the priorart fluids dispensing nozzles are movable axially inward and out wardrelative to container caps and respective valve housings of aerosoldispensing containers.

In some instances, surrounding seal washers merely flex when the nozzlesare tilted to an angular axial position, and in some instances, thenozzle slides through a central opening in the conventional seal washer,however, leakage around such prior art dispensing nozzles at thejuncture thereof with a seal washer, which frictionally engages theperiphery thereof, has created various problems. The leakage of someaerosol fluids around the dispensing nozzles tends to accumulate andcause various undesirable conditions externally of the respectivecontainer cap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a novel fluidsdispensing valve, wherein a hollow tubular fluids dispensing nozzle isprovided with an integral diaphragm seal structure. This diaphragm sealstructure is flexible and extends radially outward from the hollowtubular dispensing nozzle and surrounds the same and is sealingly fixedto a respective container cap and/or a respective valve housing whichcontains a valve normally actuated by the fluids dispensing nozzle. Inaccordance with one species of the invention, the flexible diaphragmwhich is integral with the hollow tubular fluids dispensing nozzle isalso integral with a surrounding valve body which contains a valveadapted to be actuated by the fluids dispensing nozzle. And inaccordance with another species of the invention, the perimeter of theforegoing flexible diaphragm, which is integral with the fluidsdispensing nozzle, is sealingly secured at its periphery to thecontainer cap and to valve housing wherein a valve is actuated by saidfluids dispensing valve. In accordance with the last mentioned speciesof the invention, a compressible seal gasket is compressively engagedwith the respective valve housing and the perimeter of the flexiblediaphragm. These elements are held compressively engaged by means of anindented portion of the container cap dispensing nozzle due to theflexibility of the diaphragm seal, and which at the same time, insuresagainst leakage at an area directly surrounding the fluids dispensingnozzle at its movable portion in relation to an aerosol container capand valve housing.

Further objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from thefollowing specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view ofapair of fluids dispensing containers disposed in concentric relationwith each other and showing a fluids dispensing valve of the inventionin connection therewith;

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view taken from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged axial sectional view of the fluids dispensingvalve of the invention taken from the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, showing novelfluids dispensing nozzle and diaphragm seal structure of the inventionand showing the respective fluids dispensing valve in closed position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the fluids dispensing nozzleof the invention and its integral diaphragm disposed to hold an aerosolvalve in open position, and showing the diaphragm portion, which isintegral with the fluids dispensing nozzle, in flexed position;

FIG. Sis a sectional view taken from the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken from the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but showing amodification of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the nozzle andintegral diaphragm structure of the invention flexed in a differentdirection than that as shown in FIG. 4 to permit axial actuation of thenozzle rather than tiltable actuation thereof as shown in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THEPREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The dispensing nozzle andintegral diaphragm seal structure of the invention is usable with agreat variety of fluids dispensing valves which may be operated eitherby tiltable action of the nozzle or by axial movement thereof, and inaccordance therewith, the following description of the valve mechanismis only by way of example.

An outer hollow container 10 is provided with an enclosure end structure12 of substantially conventional form. Supported in the central portion14 of the enclosure end structure engaging a corresponding groove in theperimeter of the respective aerosol valve housing in which the saidnozzle and integral diaphragm are mounted.

The hollow tubular valve actuating fluids dispensing nozzle of theinvention, having an integral radially and outwardly directed diaphragmwhich surrounds the nozzle, provides for flexible support of the nozzleduring movement relative to the valve housing and during actuation of afluids dispensing valve, while at the same time, providing an efficientseal surrounding the fluids dispensing nozzle.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a verysimple and economical fluids dispensing nozzle and diaphragm sealstructure, wherein the diaphragm seal structure is flexible andsealingly secured to an aerosol container cap and valve housing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an aerosol valve having anovel hollow tubular dispensing nozzle and integral surrounding flexiblediaphragm seal which readily permits easy actuation of a dispensingvalve by movement of the 12 is a valve housing 16 of the invention.Carried by the valve housing 16 is an inner container 18 which is ofgenerally collapsible character. This container 18 may be of thinflexible plastic material and may collapse in response to pressure offluid 20 in the outer container 10.

The valve housing 16 and the valve structure of the invention containedtherein are shown on a large scale in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The valvehousing 16 is preferably constructed of plastic orother suitablematerial and includes a pair of axially concentric housing parts 22 and24 whichare telescopi cally connected together-at 26. The-housingportion 24 is provided with a cylindrical male portion'fitted in ahollow cylindrical female portion of the housing part 22. Theseparts,.at

sembled, are capable of withstanding substantial axial pressure of avalve operating spring 28 supported in a hollow bore portion 30 of thehousing part 24. This spring 28 bears on an annular ridge 32 ofa poppetvalvemember 34, tending to hold an annular valve portion 36 ofthe poppetvalve member 34 against a first side 38 of zit-flexible valve element40. This flexible valve element 40 is substantially annular in form andis provided with opposite sides, one of which is engagable by theannular valve portion 36 of the poppet valve 34, and the other of whichis engaged by a stationary annular seat portion 42 I hereinafterdescribed in greater detail.

A peripheral portion of the flexible valve element 40 is securelyclamped between opposed ledges 44 and-46 of the housing parts 22 and 24,respectively.

The spring 28 being a compression spring tends to force the annularpoppet valve portion 36 against one side of the flexible valve element40 and to thus deflect it such that the opposite side of the flexiblevalve element 40 is securely and sealingly engaged with the annular seat42 of the housing part The flexible valve element 40 is provided with acentral opening 48 which forms a fluid passage, as will be hereinafterdescribed in detail.

The housing part 24 is provided with a hollow passage neck 50, aroundwhich an .open end portion 52 of the collapsible container 18 is fitted.Thus, the hollow portion 50, together with the bore 30 ofthe housingpart 24, forms a passage means communicating with the same side of theflexible valve element 40 that is engaged by the annular valve portion36 ofthe poppet valve 34.

The housing part 22 is provided with an annulus 54 therein which alsocommunicates with a port 56 in the side wall ofthe housing part 22; Theport 56 and the annulus 54 provides communication of fluids in the outercontainer with a side of the flexible valve element opposite to thatcommunicating with the bore 30 of the housing part 24. Thus, separatefluid passage means communicate with opposite sides of the flexiblevalve element 40 to conduct separate fluids, one of which flows betweenthe annular valve portion 36 of the poppet valve 34 and the flexiblevalve element 40; and the other which flows between the seat 42 and theflexible valve element.

The fluid which flows from the container 18 through the hollow passage50, bore 30, and over the annular valve element 36 also flows throughthe opening 48 in the flexible valve element, as indicated by arrows inFIG. 3. The fluids then flow into an outlet area of the housing part 22,this area being generally indicated at 58. A-valve actuator 59 ismounted in the area 58 and provided with a sleeve 60 having a pluralityof radial guide fins 61 and an enlarged peripheral portion 62 formaintaining axial alignment of the actuator 59 with the flexible valveelement 40. A lower stem portion 64 carries the poppet valve member 34,and thus, this poppet valve member 34 is maintained in axial alignmentwith the flexible valve element 40 and the seat 42.

As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the fins 61 are radially disposedand spaced apart to permit flow of fluids from the annulus 54 and thebore 30 upwardly into the outlet area 58, wherein the actuator member 59is provided with openings 66 through which the fluidsmay flowsubsequently to gain access to openings 68 through which the fluidssuccessively flow into a bore 70 of a dispensing nozzle 72. This nozzleis tiltably or axially movably mounted, as will be hereinafterdescribed. This nozzle 72 is provided with an open end 74 through whichfluids may ultimately be dispensed to a use area.

The normally inner end portion of the nozzle member 72 is provided withspherical cam surface 80 bearing in a recessed cam surface 82 of thevalve actuator 59. This recess 82 is provided with an upstanding ledge84.

This ledge 84 is annular and is adapted to be engaged by a centralportion of the spherical cam surface 80, as shown in FIG. 4 of thedrawings, and to cause the valve actuator 59, together with the poppetvalve 34 to be moved into the position, shown in FIG. 4. In thisposition, the annular valve portion 36 is moved away from the flexiblevalve element 40 to permit fluids under pressure, in the bore 30 and theannulus 54, to cause the flexible valve element 40 to seek anintermediate position between the spaced apart annular valve por tion 36and the seat 42. In this manner, the flexible valve element 40 seeks asubstantially centered position between the seat 42 and the annularvalve portion 36 to allow substantially equal amounts of the respectivefluids in the bore 30 and the annulus 54 to flow at opposite sides ofthe flexible valve element 40. Thus, the invention accomplishesconcurrent proportional dispensation or flow of the separate fluids atopposite sides of the flexible valve element 40, this flow then proceedssuch that one of the fluids passes through the opening 48, ashereinbefore described, in the flexible valve element 40, and bothfluids then pass into the outlet area 58 in which the actuator 59 isdisposed.

It will be appreciated that when the poppet valve member 34 is movedinto partially open position or fully opened position, that the flexiblevalve element, due to fluid pressure on opposite sides thereof, willseek an intermediate position between the seat 42 and the annular valveelement 36, regardless of the degree to which the valve is opened, andtherefore, the valve will provide for concurrent proportional flow ofthe separate fluids at opposite sides of the flexible valve element,regardless of the degree of opening ofthe valve.

It will be appreciated, however, that when the spherical portion of thenozzle member 76 engages the annular edge 84 of the valve actuator 59,that the valve may be forced to a completely open position, and that theends 86 of the fins 60 may pass down to and in engagement with theflexible valve element 40 to force it away from the seat 42 at adistance equal to approximately one-half of the actuating distance ofthe poppet valve 34. Thus, rapid or snap action opening operation of thevalve may be accomplished to actuate the flexible valve element 40 awayfrom the seat 42, ifdesired.

The aerosol dispensing valve structure, as hereinbefore described, is byway of example only with respect to the subject matter of the presentinvention, which involves a flexible diaphragm nozzle support and sealwhich is integral with a fluids dispensing nozzle and which is operableeither tiltably or axially to actuate a valve mechanism such as any wellknown or conventional valve mechanism which is operable by use of amanually tiltable or axially movable nozzle structure.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 8. it will be seen that the nozzle 72 of theinvention is provided with an integral flexible diaphragm structure 90which is also integral with a normally upper end portion 92 of the valvebody portion 22. This valve body portion 22 is substantially larger indiameter than the periphery 76 of the nozzle 72, and the diaphragmstructure therefore extends radially outward and in a surroundingrelation with the periphery 76 of the nozzle 72 to its integral relationwith the valve housing portion 92.

The valve housing portion 22 is secured in a substantially cup-shapedportion 94 of the container cap, and this cupshaped portion 94 isnormally inverted when the container 10 is in normal upright position,as shown in FIG. 1. The normally upper portion of the cup-shaped portion94 is provided with a central opening 96 which is slightly larger thanthe perimeter 76 of the nozzle 72 in order to allow the nozzle to flexangularly, as shown in FIG. 4, relative to its normal axis. The opening96 being surrounded by a slightly conical portion 98 of the cup-shapedportion 94, and this slightly conical portion 98 normally supports theflexible diaphragm portion 90 in a slightly conical disposition, asshown in FIG. 3 of'the drawings.

The hollow tubular nozzle 72, together with the diaphragm portion 90 andthe housing part 22, may be molded in one piece and of suitable plasticmaterial which has tough flexible character to allow normal flexing ofthe diaphragm portion 90 when the nozzle 72 is movably actuated. It willbe seen that the nozzle 72 may be tiltably actuated, as shown in FIG. 4,or it may be axially moved in accordance with the direction of an arrow100, as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, in order to open the valvemechanism, as hereinbefore described.

As shown in H6. 4, the flexible diaphragm portion 90 is deflected in anunsymmetrical relation to the conical portion 96 of the cap 14, thisbeing due to the tiltable operation of the nozzle 72, as shown in FIG.4, however, when the nozzle 72 is moved axially in the direction of thearrow 100, as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, the flexible diaphragmportion 90 deflects in a symmetrical manner away from the conicalportion 96.

vided with an integral diaphragm portion 102 which is similar to theintegral diaphragm portion 90; this diaphragm portion 102 surrounds theperimeter of the nozzle 72 and extends radially outward to a positionoverlying an end 104 of the valve housing part 22. A rubberlike gasket106 is compressively engaged between the end 104 of the housing part 22and a peripheral portion 108 of the diaphragm portion 102.

The end 104 of the housing part 22 is maintained in compressive relationto the gasket 106 to hold the gasket 106 in the perimeter 108 of thediaphragm portion 102 in clamped compressed relation to each other bymeans ofa crimped portion 110 of the cap 14. This crimped portion 110engages an annular indented portion 112 of the housing part 22, and thusthe housing part 22 at its end 104 is maintained in clamped relation tothe gasket 106 and the peripheral portion 108 of the diaphragm portion102 which is held in abutted relation to the normally upper end 112ofthe cap 14.

It will be seen that the modification as shown in FIG. 7, provides forsimilar action of the nozzle 72 and flexure of the in-.

tegral diaphragm thereof, as compared to the flexural positions of thediaphragm 90, shown in FIGS. 4 and 8.

It will be seen that the integral diaphragm structures 90 and 102, ashereinbefore described, prevent leakage around the perimeter of thenozzle 72 when moved in various positions or directions to actuate thevalve structure internally of the valve housing, and that fluidsdispensed by the valve mechanism of the invention move upward around thenormally inner end of the nozzle 72 and during this time the integralcondition of the diaphragm portion effectively prevents leakage aroundthe perimeter of the nozzle 76, all as hereinbefore described.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications of the present invention may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

I. In an aerosol fluids dispensing valve, the combination of: acontainer; a container cap thereon; a fluids dispensing valve housinghaving a fluids dispensing valve means therein, said housing supportedby said cap and extending into said container; said cap having a portionto which said valve housing is secured, said cap having a centralopening in the normally upper portion thereof; a dispensing nozzleextending through said opening in said cap, said nozzle disposed tooperate said valve means, said opening in said cap adapted to permitsaid nozzle to move therein, said nozzle having a flexible diaphragmportion, said diaphragm integral with and surrounding said nozzle andadapted to flex radially outward from the perimeter of said nozzle whensaid nozzle is moved relative to said cap, said diaphragm portionintegrally sealingly fixed to said housing and said cap, said nozzlehaving a fluids dispensing passage therein, said passage communicatingwith the interior of said housing inwardly relative to said diaphragmportion, said passage having an outlet disposed-outwardly relative tosaid diaphragm and said cap and adapted to deliver fluids from saidcontainer to an area externally relative thereto; said diaphragm portioncommunicating with'fluids at the interior of said housing and servingasa seal to prevent leakage of fluids around the exterior of saidnozzle'when said nozzle is moved relative to said cap and when fluidsare -passing through said valve means and said nozzle.

a generally and normally inverted cup-shaped portion in p whichsaid'valve housing is secured, said cup-shaped portion having a centralopening in the normally upper portion thereof; said valve housing havingan integral dispensing nozzle extending through said central opening insaid cap, said nozzle disposed to operate said valve means, said openingin said cap adapted to permit said nozzle to move therein, said nozzleand said housing at their integral connection with each other having aflexible diaphragm portion, said diaphragm portion surrounding saidnozzle and adapted to flex when said nozzle is moved relative tosaid'cap to actuate said valve means, said nozzle having a fluidspassage therein, said passage communicating with the interior of saidhousing inwardly relative to said diaphragm portion, said passage havingan outlet disposed outward relative to said diaphragm portion and saidcap and adapted to deliver fluids from said container to an areaexternally relative thereto, said diaphragm portion communicating withthe-fluids at the interior of said housing and serving as aseal toprevent leakage of fluids around the exterior of said nozzle when saidnozzle is moved relative to said cap, and when fluids are passingthrough said valve means and said nozzle.

3. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said cap'is providedwith an indented means clamping said housing and said diaphragm portiontherein to maintain a sealed relation at a peripheral portion of saiddiaphragm relative to said housing and said cap.

4. The invention, as defined in claim 3, wherein: a compression gasketsealingly engages said diaphragm generally near its peripheral-portionat which it is clamped in said cap and relative to said housing.

5. In an aerosol fluids dispensing valve, the combination of: acontainer; at fluids dispensing valve disposed and adapted to V deliveraerosol fluids from said container; a valve housing'for said valvemounted in said container; fluids dispensing valve means in saidvalvehousing; a fluids dispensing nozzle extending from the interior of saidvalve housing to the exterior of said container and adapted to deliverfluids to a position externally of said container; said nozzle having anintegral flexible diaphragm portion surrounding said nozzle andsealingly connected to said valve housing to prevent leakage of fluidaround saidnozzle, while said nozzle is moved to actuate said valvemeans and while said diaphragm portion flexes to permit said movement,said flexible diaphragm being integrally connected to said housing.

